Upper East Region - thesavannaonline

PURC cautions residents in the Upper East Region against engaging in power theft.

The PURC has sternly warned the general public in the Upper East Region against illegal electricity connections. They have emphasized that power theft is a punishable crime under the law.

According to Pious Abdullai Ikililu, the Regional Complaints Officer for the Upper East region, those who engage in such practices will be subject to legal consequences. He also warned that the PURC will not intervene for those arrested by NEDCo for illegal connections.

“During our public education activities, we educate people to desist from power theft—connecting illegally to the service, or having power that NEDCo is not aware of, doing meter bypasses—anything that enables you to use electricity without actually paying for it is a crime,” he said.

According to Mr. Abdullai’s remarks on Bolga FM, power theft has detrimental effects on Ghana’s energy supply and the electricity sector as a whole. This includes system losses and loss of revenue. As a solution, he urged individuals to use their electrical devices responsibly and pay for their usage accordingly.

“If you know that you cannot pay for the electricity and you’re using an air-conditioner, why go and buy one? Or if you have an electrical gadget and you know very well that when you use it, you won’t be able to pay the bill—why have it?” he questioned.

The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has recently disclosed that starting May 3, 2025, there will be an increase in water and electricity tariffs. This change involves a 14.75 percent hike in electricity rates and a 4.02 percent rise in water prices under the updated tariff system.

Similarly, while appearing on the show, Mohammed Adams Suleimana, the Public Relations Officer of PURC in the Upper East Region, defended the reasoning behind the recent price hike. He clarified that the adjustment is not a novel occurrence but a routine part of the commission’s quarterly assessment process.

Terabuuriyele International has contributed essential medical equipment to the Upper East Regional Hospital.

Terabuuriyele, a non-profit and non-partisan organization dedicated to preserving and promoting Frafra culture, has provided vital medical equipment to the Upper East Regional Hospital to support healthcare services in the area.

The contribution, given on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, comprises 22 blood pressure monitors and 22 infrared thermometer guns intended to enhance the hospital’s ability to treat patients effectively.

During the presentation, Mr. Simon Ayariga, National Chairman of Terabuuriyele, stated that the association’s donation is part of their humanitarian initiatives to support national development, specifically in healthcare.

“This donation reflects our commitment to supporting our communities through tangible action. We believe quality healthcare is a basic right, and we are proud to contribute to its delivery.”

On behalf of the hospital, Madam Justina Ayoribila, Deputy Director of Nursing Services, expressed her sincere appreciation for receiving the items. She also mentioned how the equipment will significantly improve their service delivery.

“We are grateful for this timely support. These items will go a long way in helping us provide better and more efficient care to our patients.”

Accompanying Chief Bombiga Asana Agoo at the ceremony were the Chief of Zaare and Acting Bolgatanga Municipal Chairman of Terabuuriyele. During the event, he expressed worry about the slow deterioration of Gurune culture and shared that the association intends to create a cultural museum.

Our cultural identity means everything to us. Our focus is on establishing a museum that will preserve and exhibit the thriving heritage of the Gurune people for generations to come.

The contribution serves as a reminder of Terabuuriyele’s dedication to safeguarding cultural heritage and fostering community progress.

The FDA provides training on good manufacturing practices to sachet water producers in Bolgatanga.

The FDA’s Upper East Regional Office hosted an annual training workshop for sachet water producers in the region. The objective was to inform them about GMPs, promoting the production of superior and secure sachet water for customers.

According to Abel Ndego, Acting Regional Head of the FDA in the Upper East Region, proper adherence to GMPs is vital for ensuring the quality and safety of sachet water. As water is essential for life, it remains a top priority for the FDA to uphold these standards and hold producers accountable in their facilities.

He said, “In this case, for sachet water, we are looking basically at quality and safety. So we have gathered here today to be able to share ideas on best practices, and what is recommended by the provisions of guidelines and international standards. This would help equip our sachet water producers to be able to ensure that the water they produce is of the highest standard and quality.”

According to him, this will ensure that the water sold to consumers adheres to quality and safety regulations. The training is centered on instructing and reinforcing proper methods to produce sachet water in the area.

During the training, we discussed several important topics, such as effective hygiene and sanitation protocols for production sites, appropriate methods for treating and purifying water, proper packaging and labeling standards, regulatory compliance, and the monitoring processes of the FDA.

Thomas Anthony Baba Piameng, Chairman of the Sachet Water Producers Association in the Upper East Region, lauded the FDA for their training and stressed the importance of adhering to safety protocols among members.

Farmers in Pusu-Namongo are calling for prioritizing the desilting of dams.

Members of the Pusu-Namongo community in the Talensi District, located in the Upper East Region, have requested that the government immediately remove silt from local dams. This is necessary to sustain farming throughout the year, as water sources in the region have been affected by increasingly severe impacts of climate change.

Addressing the Deputy Minister for Food and Agriculture, John Setor Dumelo, during his visit, local farmers stressed the pressing requirement of government assistance. Tii Godfred, Secretary of the Pusu-Namongo Water Users Association, highlighted that numerous farmers have been compelled to leave their dry-season farms due to inadequate water levels in the remaining dams. This has significantly impacted crops like tomatoes and onions, which were in the crucial fruition stage.

“In this jurisdiction, climate has changed drastically. The weather has shifted, and the rainfall pattern has shifted. The challenge that we face as farmers is that many of the dams are silted. Just recently, some farmers couldn’t finish harvesting all their produce and had to abandon their farms just because the level of water had reduced in such a way that in certain places if they open the water, it couldn’t reach there. So, in that case, they had to stop, and because of that, some people have run at a loss,” he recalled.

In representing the farmers, Mr. Tii appealed for assistance acquiring necessary farm supplies and access to tractor services to improve their agricultural endeavors. Similarly, Musah Sadat, a fellow farmer, reiterated the need for prompt action from the government to construct the much-awaited Pwalugu Multipurpose Dam and revive the abandoned Pwalugu Tomato Factory. Such efforts would significantly enhance the region’s farming productivity and processing capabilities.

Deputy Minister John Setor Dumelo reassured the farmers that the government is dedicated to revamping current dams and building new ones to support year-round farming.

“In the NDC manifesto, we said we were going to build Farmer Service Centers, and it is something that we are going to do. I have all the power to probably say that Talensi will get their own. The Farmer Service Centers will have tractors, seeds, combine harvesters, and everything needed to be a good farmer. With respect to irrigation, we’ve launched a program called ‘Irrigation for Wealth’ and we are irrigating over 10,000 hectares of land but also, we are making sure that we rehabilitate existing irrigation schemes and this community will be no exception,” he added.

In addition, he announced joint efforts between the government and private companies to set up processing facilities across the country to tackle the ongoing problem of post-harvest losses.

As part of his ongoing tour of the Upper East Region, the minister visited to evaluate the issues affecting farmers and determine where urgent action is required. Local Member of Parliament for Talensi, Daniel Dung Mahama, also highlighted a pressing concern: the need to desilt around 16 decades-old dams to secure enough water for dry season cultivation. He emphasized his commitment to seeing these dams rehabilitated.

The MP expressed hope that implementing the ‘Nkoko Nkitinkiti” policy, which aims to assist 55,000 households nationwide, would generate employment opportunities for the residents of Talensi.

Joseph Akaseke Abaa pledges to advocate for constructing a College of Education.

Joseph Akaseke Abaa, the recently appointed District Chief Executive for Bongo, has expressed his determination to advocate for establishing a College of Education in the region.

He said this will result in additional teachers being trained for our schools and generate fresh employment opportunities within our community.

According to the DCE, establishing a tertiary institution in the area is crucial for enhancing the district’s education standard.

During his address following his confirmation by the assembly on April 15, 2025, Joseph Abaa spoke out against the discrepancies that hinder people’s ability to obtain quality education and healthcare in the district.

He brought up various difficulties plaguing the district, including an infrastructure deficit in the health and education sectors, issues with sanitation and social problems, and a subpar standard of living.

Joseph Akaseke Abaa – District Chief Executive for Bongo

“Our district faces urgent challenges that we must confront now. Too many children learn in overcrowded classrooms or under leaking roofs. Too many of the sick are turned away because our clinics lack essential supplies. A single failed rainy season can wipe out a village’s harvest. Too many of our youth cannot find jobs,” he said.

He mentioned that the current administration of Mahama has implemented measures to combat these difficulties and that the district, under his guidance, intends to utilize these policies to rejuvenate itself fully.

The DCE also plans to utilize government initiatives, such as the rehabilitation of the Vea Dam, to enhance agriculture in the region and ultimately enhance the quality of life for the inhabitants.

“We will leverage government programs to boost agriculture, build value chains, push for the rehabilitation of the Vea Dam, and make farming viable and rewarding again.” he further stated.

He emphasized the need for support in district development, stressing his commitment to running a transparent and inclusive administration.

“My door will always be open to everyone, regardless of party or background. If you have a concern or suggestion, I want to hear it. I believe that only by all of us working together can we achieve the progress we desire.” He emphasised

Upper East Regional Dialysis Center receives support from the Ghana Medical Association

The Upper East Regional Hospital Dialysis Center has received some support from equipment from the Upper East Regional Chapter of the Ghana Medical Association (GMA).

As a facility that provides care, the GMA in the region says it found it prudent to donate to the newly established unit to support staff efforts to provide the proper care. Dr. Zakaria Adam, the Upper East Regional Chairman of the GMA, explained that they engaged the facility managers to understand their needs and inform the assistance they would provide.

He said the GMA views itself as a critical partner in the healthcare chain, hence the presentation to the dialysis unit. Items donated to the center included six parameter monitors, a digital BP apparatus, patient screens, and pulse oximeters.

The Haemodialysis Center at the Regional Hospital commenced operations in September 2024 and currently has 13 dialysis machines. Its operationalization is a massive relief to many residents of the region, who were previously compelled to travel to different regions to access dialysis services.

Speaking moments after the presentation, Dr. Adam said it was refreshing to finally have the dialysis unit in place because other regions had it. He called for support from stakeholders to keep the center running.

“We had interactions with the unit to try and identify some of the challenges and see how far we can also support, so that is how we ended up with what we donated to them today. It’s quite satisfying and efficient since its establishment. As the unit head mentioned that, they currently have 29 active clients, and I know the numbers will start increasing. So, the idea was that as a major stakeholder, we saw it necessary to also support,” he stressed.

Dr. Adam Yousif, Unit Head of the Center, thanked the GMA for the gesture. He disclosed that the hospital currently has 13 dialysis machines.

The Talensi branch chairman of the NDC has been suspended for leading a protest against the nomination of the President.

The Talensi Constituency branch of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has decided to suspend its executive member who organized a protest against the President’s nomination of John Millim Naabwomya as District Chief Executive for the region.

Charles King Luu, the Brach Chairman of the Gorogo Polling Station, rallied a group of supporters from the ruling party to demonstrate against the nomination of John Millim. They alleged that Millim’s actions were causing division within the party and that he had ties to the main opposition, the New Patriotic Party (NPP), and the paramount chief of the Talensi Traditional Area.

During the press conference, King Luu referred to the newly appointed DCE for the area as a “devoted” agent of the Tong-Ran. He also noted that the DCE had ties with the NPP and expressed concern that this appointment would give the NPP control over the district.

The group had warned that they would pursue legal action if President John Dramani Mahama did not withdraw the nomination.

Shortly after John Millim’s confirmation as the party’s nominee, an official statement was released announcing the suspension of King Luu, leader of the group, from the party.

The statement noted that King Luu has been removed from his role as Branch Chairman.

His suspension and removal from his position resulted from disciplinary proceedings initiated against him following a petition alleging misconduct. This was due to his involvement in leading a protest against the nomination of the DCE.

The Talensi Constituency Executives of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) would like to announce that Mr. Charles King Luu has been immediately suspended from the party, as per their decision.

He said this choice was made after disciplinary measures were taken against Mr. Luu. The formal complaint submitted by a party member addressed his recent participation in activities that clashed with party decisions.

The party has requested that he return any property belonging to them that he currently holds, and they also want to advise the public against engaging with him in any capacity as a member or leader of the NDC.

Upper East Regional Minister Leads Operation on Illegal Mining Sites, 73 Arrested

Upper East Regional Minister, Hon. Akamugri Donatus Atanga, led a joint security operation on Tuesday, March 4, 2025. The operation targeted illegal mining activities. These activities were occurring in the Tilli Forest Reserve, which straddles the Nabdam and Bawku West Districts.

The operation resulted in 73 arrests, including infants. Authorities seized mining equipment. This action was taken following complaints of foreign encroachment into the protected area.

The operation was conducted by a team of police, military, and immigration officers. They uncovered air compressors, drilling machines, and motorbikes. They also found gold-processing equipment and personal belongings at multiple sites. Among those detained were 27 Togolese, two Burkinabes, and 41 Ghanaians.

Hon. Akamugri said the raid was prompted by a complaint from Naba Sigri Bewong, chief of Sakoti in the Nabdam District. He reported foreign miners invading the reserve during a meeting with the minister on February 20, 2025.

“Based on that, we had a (Regional Security Council) REGSEC meeting, and we thought that it was important for us to follow up to ascertain for us what the paramount chief said, whether it is true or false,” Hon. Akamugri said. “We have seen that there is some mining in the river itself. Some people are actively doing mining in the river.”

Miners operated directly in the Red Volta River and along its banks, and campsites, domestic activities, and underground mining caused significant tree loss in the reserve.
The regional minister said the illegal operations have damaged the environment of the Red Volta, which connects to the White Volta.

“Forest reserves are not places for anyone to trade any economic activity except for the purpose for which they were reserved. So, illegal mining is unacceptable. Any mining is not accepted,” said the Hon. Akamugri, emphasizing Ghana’s prohibition on mining in protected forests.